Driving electric in B.C.: Home and workplace charging get a boost

IF you’ve been thinking about buying an electric car, new charge-up incentives may give you the boost you need. The Fraser Basin Council on Wednesday announced rebates in its Plug in BC program to help offset the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging equipment in single-family homes, duplexes and multi-unit residential buildings and – for the first time – in workplaces.

Three new rebates, funded with $1.85 million from the Province as part of its Clean Energy Vehicle Program and administered by Plug in BC, are available now through March 31, 2020 (or while program funding lasts):

· A rebate for Single-Family Homes and Duplexes covers 75% of costs, up to $750, for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 (208v / 240v) charging station for residential use installed February 1, 2018 or later. A B.C. resident can request the rebate after the purchase and installation of the station is complete.

· A rebate for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings covers 75% of costs, up to $4,000, for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 station (208v / 240v). An applicant must apply in advance of a purchase and installation of a station and may apply for more than one station.

· A rebate for Workplaces covers 50% of costs, up to $4,000, per Level 2 station (or $2,000 per Level 1 (120 v) station). An applicant must apply in advance of a purchase and installation of a station and may apply for more than one station.

Rebates are available by application on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to consideration of a fair geographic distribution of the incentives in B.C.

Plug in BC offers support and information to applicants, including free consultations on the steps to set up a charging station in a multi-unit residential building or workplace.

Previously announced provincial incentives for clean-energy vehicles are also available:

· Point of Sale Rebates on Clean-Energy Vehicles: Rebates of up to $5,000 off the final vehicle price for a qualifying new battery electric, fuel-cell electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. To learn more: https://www.cevforbc.ca/clean-energy-vehicle-program

· Specialty Use Electric Vehicles: Rebates of $2,000 to $50,000 are available on the purchase of eligible specialty-use vehicles, including electric motorcycles, forklifts, trucks and buses. There are options for fleets and new options for individual consumers. To learn more: http://pluginbc.ca/suvi/

Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, said: “Electric vehicles are clean, quiet and fun to drive. They help drivers reduce fuel, maintenance costs and tailpipe emissions, and are a growing economic sector in B.C. We know that the majority of electric vehicle charging happens at home and in the workplace, so the Charging Solutions and Incentives Program is being launched in partnership with the Fraser Basin Council to help make charging equipment more affordable for just about everyone.”

David Marshall of Fraser Basin Council said: “There’s been a nearly 70% increase in the purchase of fully electric vehicles over the past year in BC. Even more BC drivers are likely to go electric once they know they can charge up at home and at work – and FBC is pleased to see new provincial incentives that support the trend to cleaner transportation.”

Fast Facts

· There are now 8,000 electric cars on B.C. roads

· Most auto manufacturers have at least one electric car model – and there are about 30 model choices today